grace – Page 11 – hugsnblessings

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

Published on October 20, 2015October 20, 2015 by Dawn Marie4 Comments

“SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!”

No seriously, would SOMEONE please “SHUT the front door?!?!?!!”

I remember shouting this, as if it were just yesterday, exactly one year ago. It was moving day into our New Home, North Star, and I needed to dash off (once again) to go get yet another car load of items from the home we were about to let go of.

My hands were full, the warm autumn sun had brought the bees outside to try to collect the last of the pollen they could find, and I could not manage to close the door behind me as I was exiting. I knew if it remained open a few bees would welcome the idea to take up residence in our new abode along with us!

I summoned twice, to no avail, so my third & final plea turned into a shout and although I meant it to sound URGENT it probably did end up sounding ANGRY, (which tends to mistakenly happen when the soft tone of my voice tries to be taken seriously!) I am so glad God understands my heart! And then it happened…

Yes, the door was finally closed (by a nearby helper who obviously didn’t hear me either because his final words before he shut the door were “Who left the door open??“) But it was what I saw next as I walked toward my car parked at the edge of the curb that made me drop everything I was holding,

IT WAS MY FAVORITE TEACHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!

There she was waving at me while shouting, “Hello, Neighbor!”

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! I now lived by Mrs. B!!

(And who knew we both enjoyed shouting???)

Words cannot explain how much I adore her! She was, and continues to be, one of the women I have looked up to and admired as a “Strong-Thinking-Woman.” Besides my god-mother, I had not met another like her! And she took such a kind, personal, interest in me back then, that it helped me to find courage & belief in myself I never may have found without her.

And she was to be one of my new neighbors!

So many wonderful surprises like this have continued throughout this first year at North Star.

We love our new home (and have heard those who purchased our former home feel the same about True North!)

God has a wonderful way of surprising us in life. When we trust in His guidance great grace is given. We are grateful for all the many ways we have experienced this in our relocation.

Today Cuppycake & I will be taking a drive together and I am sure it will feel reminiscent of a drive we took just a year ago. It feels good to be looking out the front window as we drive…and yet I’m grateful for the rear-view one too; as we take stock & appreciate what has led us to this new road we are now on, still led by Christ. And I’m sure before we walk toward the car & pull away we will be certain to…

“Shut the front door!”

hugs n’ blessings to everyone enjoying surprises in their life!

hide me to seek thee.

Published on September 2, 2015September 2, 2015 by Dawn Marie5 Comments

It’s another Wednesday for Saint Maria Faustina KoWalska (what else,)

with a brief reflection on the Divine Mercy of God:

Some people like “all things” Disney and others Wally-World!

However, I am a huge fan of The Divine Mercy of God!

Going to Krakow, Poland or The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts would be like going to Catholic Disney Land for me!!

I am so happily-in-love with the gift God gives to each of us through His Divine Mercy, that there is an entire Page dedicated to this on my blogitty-blog site; which you may easily find at the topside tucked nicely under a hug!

In a previous post, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, I began sharing my personal reflections on the experiences I encountered reading St. Faustina’s Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul. I hope you’ll jump, hop, or skip through this Page of collected Posts to find something that may resonate in your own heart! But for now…here’s my newest reflection I’ve been pondering.

This pitty-pat-ponder comes welcomingly into my soul straight from Faustina’s Monthly Examen!

St. Faustina did many things in love for Jesus; but none so more than to dedicate her whole life to spreading the teachings & devotion of The Divine Mercy of God.

Just as anyone who may be training to strengthen themselves physically, Saint Faustina exercised spiritually! There were two ‘practices’ or ‘exercises’ she relied upon to help strengthen her to carry out this dedication. The first was a Monthly Examen of The Conscience; where she used an Exclamatory Prayer to internally control the soul, so as to be united with the merciful Christ.

“J.M.J. ~ Jesus, I trust in You. ~ Chart of internal Control of the Soul, Particular examen – to be united with the merciful Christ. Practice: inner silence, strict observance of silence.

The Conscience (Exclamatory Prayer)

January: But God remained silent. February: Jesus, I trust in You. March: Jesus, enkindle my heart with love. April: With God I can do all things. May: In His Name is my strength. June: All for Jesus. July: Jesus, rest in my heart. August: Jesus, You know. September: Jesus, hide me in Your Heart. October: Mary, unite me with Jesus. November: O my Jesus, have mercy! December: Hail, Living Host!” ~St. Faustina’s diary, entry 162 (77)